150 
MYSTERIOUS DWARF. 
The only wealth of this man consisted in his knowledge 
of the Koran ; but in Africa this knowledge is worth an estate. 
From all parts they brought him cotton cloth for his dress, 
stuff for his tent, beasts to carry him on his journeys, and 
barley for the food of himself and his people : he received all 
this in exchange for the charms which he wrote. In his 
camp he was abundantly furnished with whatever could con- 
tribute to his support and that of his friends ; in return, he 
gave talismans for the cure or prevention of all diseases, 
against thefts, or to obtain husbands for the young females. 
As it was late and I did not intend returning to Aly's 
camp, and as the priest had not given me an invitation to 
sleep in his tent, I sought elsewhere a lodging for the night ; 
I addressed myself as is usual to the first man I met, and re-^ 
quested permission to sleep near his tent : this man received 
me kindly, installed me in the place which he usually occu- 
pied, and left me ; he then sent me a supply of dates to 
serve till supper time. I did not touch them, being afraid of 
them. During the night I was visited by a Moor, who was a 
cripple, and obliged to be carried by another. I was lying 
upon the ground ; on rising I was astonished to see this little 
man beside me ; he gave me the idea of a mysterious 
dwarf 5 I knew not what to think of his nocturnal visit, and 
conceived that by the assistance of his companion he intended 
to steal something. Finding that their presence was not at 
all to my satisfaction, they desired me not to be afraid, but I 
assured them loud enough to be heard by the neighbours, 
that if they did not leave me, I should complain to my host. 
The deformed dwarf threw himself into the arms of his con- 
ductor and they disappeared like lightning. About ten 
o'clock at night, my supper was brought me : it was good 
couscous with meat, such as I had never eaten in Aly's 
family. The chief of the tent brought me water to wash my 
hands, inquired if I had had a good supper, and took his 
